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Warning Lights - AC stops cooling

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by John Franks, Aug 7, 2012.

  1. John Franks

    John Franks New Member

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    I've seen several posts regarding the warning lights, mine is a bit different. My Warning Light, Maint Reqd, ((!)), and engine light are all on. I've driven it a few times since and notice that after driving for 10 minutes or so, the VSC light also comes on. In one instance the brake light also came on. At that point my AC seems to also stop blowing COLD air. The motor blower motor still runs, but the air is no longer cold. Battery checks out. Coolant levels are good. Code indicated "something with the inverter cooling" according to local garage. Suggested I take it to the dealer. Scheduled for a trip to dealer tomorrow but wondering if there's anything I can/should do in the meantime. Thanks in advance!
     
    #1 John Franks, Aug 7, 2012
  2. tomguild

    tomguild smugmobile owner

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    Hmm...might be the inverter water pump?
     
    #2 tomguild, Aug 7, 2012
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  3. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Check for turbulance in the inverter coolant tank as it is a strong possibility that the inverter coolant pump has stopped working.

    There is a service campain to replace these FOC up to and including 2007, but there have been several reports of the later version pumps (2008 on) failing.
     
    #3 Britprius, Aug 7, 2012
  4. tomguild

    tomguild smugmobile owner

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    I assume you mean that a *lack* of turbulence would be a sign of trouble, right?
     
    #4 tomguild, Aug 7, 2012
  5. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #5 cwerdna, Aug 7, 2012
  6. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Yes I must admit my post is a bit ambiguous there.
     
    #6 Britprius, Aug 7, 2012
  7. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    #7 Britprius, Aug 7, 2012
  8. tomguild

    tomguild smugmobile owner

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    Yeah - and I only weighed in because I also have an '09, just out of warranty, and with a newly replaced inverter water pump. Interesting that there was a recall on the earlier years but not after '08.
     
    #8 tomguild, Aug 7, 2012
  9. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    It seems there is a strong possibility that the "new" pump is no better than the one it replaces.
     
    #9 Britprius, Aug 7, 2012
  10. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Uh that's two failed pumps in a row for my model year! :(
    To the OP and tomguild: Please do contact Toyota corporate customer service about this and let us know the outcome. Thanks!
     
    #10 2009Prius, Aug 8, 2012
  11. John Franks

    John Franks New Member

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    It's a 2009 with 58,000 miles. After reviewing the comments here I suggested to the service adviser it may very well be the inverter pump. He checked and said it was covered under the 60,000 / 5 yr power train warranty! So took it in this morning. Lit up like a pinball machine on the way there. Warning light, check engine, maint engine, tire presseure, ((!)). Got to the service bay and shut it off. He came out, started it, and for the first time in a month no warning light or ((!)), of course! But still the maint engine and tire pressure. He said the codes would be stored and if so they could change it out. The maint engine was a oil change and I had problems keeping the tire pressure right. Called in three hours. Changed out the inverter pump under warranty, also found a nail in a tire. Did the oil change. $58 and for the first time in 3 months I have no idiot lights on! Thanks to all for your comments. And if you have the inverter pump issue and less then 60k, try for the coverage under power train warranty.
     
    #11 John Franks, Aug 8, 2012
    tomguild and cwerdna like this.
  12. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    ^^^
    Thanks! It's a bit disturbing to know that these are failing on cars that are outside the LSC.

    Mine's been replaced thanks to the LSC, but if replacements aren't of better quality, eek, it could fail again and I could be SOL after that LSC ends on 11/30/13, assuming Toyota doesn't issue another LSC or extend the 1st one.
     
    #12 cwerdna, Aug 8, 2012
  13. tomguild

    tomguild smugmobile owner

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    John - who's your dealer? I just called mine (Fred Anderson, Raleigh NC) and the service advisor maintained that the pump was definitely NOT under either powertrain or hybrid warranty, just "3/36". So with my 3.1 year old 09 Prius w/ less than 31k miles, I'm working on a letter to the service manager, and may copy Toyota's Customer Happiness people.
     
    #13 tomguild, Aug 9, 2012
  14. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Please do. Thanks!
     
    #14 2009Prius, Aug 9, 2012
  15. jenand

    jenand New Member

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    Happened to me yesterday...to the T. Curious to learn how, and where, the water pump be affecting this?
     
    #15 jenand, Jun 5, 2021
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